Imaging Services

Confidence and satisfaction comes from understanding that VGH Imaging Services possesses the same advanced, state-of-the art imaging equipment, and industry standard facilities as other hospitals in eastern Iowa, such as those in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City.

Expect prompt appointments, friendly and knowledgeable technologists, and the exact same quality of expertly trained radiologists used by the area’s largest hospitals.

Services We Offer:

MRI

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) MRI uses a large magnet and radio frequency to align cells in your body to be detected by the scanner. MRI provides good contrast between soft tissue, tendons, and ligaments.

CT

Computed Tomography (CT) is a medical imaging procedure that uses computer-processed X-rays to produce tomographic images or ‘slices’ of specific areas of the body. These cross-sectional images are used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in various medical disciplines. Digital geometry processing is used to generate a three-dimensional image of the inside of an object from a large series of two-dimensional X-ray images taken around a single axis of rotation.

Mammography

Mammography is the process of using low-energy X-rays to examine the human breast and is used as a diagnostic and a screening tool. During a mammography, breasts are compressed to reduce the amount of radiation required to penetrate the tissue. The goal of mammography is the early detection of breast cancer, typically through detection of characteristic masses and/or microcalcifications.

3D mammography is now available at Virginia Gay Hospital.

Research has shown that 3D mammography in conjunction with standard 2D mammography, detects from 20% to 40% more cases of invasive breast cancer, while also reducing the need for additional testing by as much as 40%. The improved results from 3D mammography don’t result in radiation exposure above FDA limits, and by avoiding additional tests, the test may help limit lifetime exposure.

3D mammography requires only a few seconds more than standard mammography. The testing procedure is identical, except for the slight arc the imaging unit makes to gather the image. The powerful software then creates images of the breast tissue in millimeter-thick increments. The ability to view small segments of tissue and the ability to rotate 3D images allow radiologists to take a more accurate look inside the body.

The technology is especially useful for women with dense breast tissue because 2D mammograms of dense breasts are more difficult for the radiologist to interpret, and because cancer occurs more often in dense breasts. The determination of breast tissue density is determined after examining a mammogram, and approximately 50% of women have dense breast tissue.

Talk with your Virginia Gay Family Medical Clinic healthcare provider about your risk of breast cancer and recommendations on mammography based on your age and health history. Your provider can provide you with an order for the test. Once you have an order, call the imaging department at 319-472-6288 or scheduling at 319-472-6270 for an appointment. 3D mammograms are currently being scheduled for Mondays and Tuesdays, 9 AM to 3 PM, and on Fridays, noon to 3 PM.

Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear Medicine specialists use safe, painless, and cost-effective techniques to image the body and treat disease. Nuclear medicine imaging is unique, because it provides doctors with information about both structure and function. It is a way to gather medical information that would otherwise be unavailable, require surgery, or necessitate more expensive diagnostic tests. Nuclear medicine imaging procedures often identify abnormalities very early in the progress of a disease—long before many medical problems are apparent with other diagnostic tests.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound Medical Sonography (ultrasonography) is an ultrasound-based diagnostic medical imaging technique used to visualize muscles, tendons, and many internal organs, to capture their size, structure and any pathological lesions with real time tomographic images. Ultrasound is also used to visualize fetuses during routine and emergency prenatal care. Such diagnostic applications used during pregnancy are referred to as obstetric sonography.

X-Ray

X-Ray A medical X-ray is an imaging test that is done using radiation to show your internal organs and bones. They can be used to find fractures, fluid buildup, and more. X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation that can penetrate clothing, body tissue, and internal organs. An X-ray machine sends this radiation through the body. Some of the radiation emerges on the other side of the body, where it exposes film or is absorbed by a digital detector to create an image. And some of it is absorbed in body tissues.

Bone Densitometry

Bone Densitometry A bone density test is a non-surgical, painless examination that uses low dose x-rays to measure the density of bones. A bone density test tells you if you have normal bone density, low bone density (osteopenia) or osteoporosis. It is the only test that can diagnose osteoporosis. The lower your bone density, the greater your risk of breaking a bone.

Virginia Gay Hospital is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of patients protected health information and has had practices in place for many years to respect patients right to privacy. In response to the Health Insurance Portability and AccountabilityAct of 1996 (HIPAA), we are pleased to provide our patients with a Notice of Privacy Practices as they enter our facilities for health care services.